Notice: the
biographical notes are only a working instrument
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MARTÍNEZ
SISTACH Card. Lluís

Cardinal Lluís
Martínez Sistach, Archbishop of Barcelona (Spain), was born on 29
April 1937 in Barcelona, Spain. He was ordained a priest on 17 September
1961 and obtained a doctorate in utroque iure in 1967 from the
Pontifical Lateran University.

He served
in parish ministry and then as secretary of the ecclesiastical tribunal
of Barcelona, of which he was appointed judge in 1973. At the same, he
was professor of canon law at the theology faculty in Barcelona.

In 1979, he became vicar general of the
archdiocese of Barcelona. On 6 November 1987 John Paul II appointed him
titular Bishop of Aliezira and Auxiliary of Barcelona. He was ordained a
bishop on 27 December that same year.

In 1983, he was elected president of the
Spanish Association of Canon Lawyers and in 1986 published a very
successful book on associations of the faithful. He has also served as
consultor to various Roman dicasteries.

He was appointed Bishop of Tortosa on 17 May
1991 and on 20 February 1997, Archbishop of Tarragona. On 30 March 2007,
Tarragona awarded him the title of “Adopted Son”.

On 15 June 2004 he became Archbishop of
Barcelona.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Benedict
XVI in the consistory of 24 November 2007, of the Title of San
Sebastiano alle Catacombe (St. Sebastian at the Catacombs).